Articles tagged with: Experimental Psychology
Parallel Constraint Satisfaction in Memory-Based Decisions
Three studies sought to investigate decision strategies in memory-based
decisions and to test the predictions of the parallel constraint satisfaction
(PCS) model for decision making (Glöckner & Betsch, 2008).
Time pressure was manipulated and the model was compared against simple
heuristics (take the best and equal weight) and a weighted additive strategy.
From PCS we predicted that fast intuitive decision making is based on
compensatory information integration and that decision time increases and
confidence decreases with increasin [...]
Three studies sought to investigate decision strategies in memory-based
decisions and to test the predictions of the parallel constraint satisfaction
(PCS) model for decision making (Glöckner & Betsch, 2008).
Time pressure was manipulated and the model was compared against simple
heuristics (take the best and equal weight) and a weighted additive strategy.
From PCS we predicted that fast intuitive decision making is based on
compensatory information integration and that decision time increases and
confidence decreases with increasin [...]
Can Emotion Modulate Attention? Evidence for Reciprocal Links in the Attentional Network Test
Evolution theory suggests that adaptive behavior depends on our ability to give
preferential attention to emotional information when it is necessary for our
survival, and to down-regulate irrelevant emotional influence. However,
empirical work has shown that the interaction between emotion and attention
varies, based on the attentional network in question. The aim of the current
research was to examine the influence of stimulus emotionality on attention in
three attentional networks: alerting, orienting, and executive functions. In two
s [...]
Evolution theory suggests that adaptive behavior depends on our ability to give
preferential attention to emotional information when it is necessary for our
survival, and to down-regulate irrelevant emotional influence. However,
empirical work has shown that the interaction between emotion and attention
varies, based on the attentional network in question. The aim of the current
research was to examine the influence of stimulus emotionality on attention in
three attentional networks: alerting, orienting, and executive functions. In two
s [...]
Representation of Categories
In the present study we investigated whether the mental representation of the
concept categories is represented by the
container image schema (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980). In two
experiments participants decided whether two pictures were from the same
category (animal or vehicle). Pictures were presented inside or outside a frame
that should activate the container schema. We found that
performance to pictures was influenced by the frame in congruence with the
metaphorical mapping (same category – inside bounded region;
different categ [...]
In the present study we investigated whether the mental representation of the
concept categories is represented by the
container image schema (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980). In two
experiments participants decided whether two pictures were from the same
category (animal or vehicle). Pictures were presented inside or outside a frame
that should activate the container schema. We found that
performance to pictures was influenced by the frame in congruence with the
metaphorical mapping (same category – inside bounded region;
different categ [...]
On the Decay of Distractor-Response Episodes
Distractor-to-distractor repetition effects can be explained by retrieval
and/or inhibitory processes. Interestingly, the two accounts predict
different effects from repeated distractors: Inhibition theories always predict
benefits, whereas stimulus-response-retrieval theories predict an interaction of
response repetition and distractor repetitions, resulting in benefits with
response repetitions and costs with response changes. In the present experiment
the time-course and the temporal separability of a stimulus-response episode on
dist [...]
Distractor-to-distractor repetition effects can be explained by retrieval
and/or inhibitory processes. Interestingly, the two accounts predict
different effects from repeated distractors: Inhibition theories always predict
benefits, whereas stimulus-response-retrieval theories predict an interaction of
response repetition and distractor repetitions, resulting in benefits with
response repetitions and costs with response changes. In the present experiment
the time-course and the temporal separability of a stimulus-response episode on
dist [...]
The Interplay of Experience-Based Affective and Probabilistic Cues in Decision Making
In a study using behavioral and physiological measures we induced
experience-based affective cues (i.e., differential anticipatory arousal) toward
a risky and a safe option by letting participants repeatedly select between two
decks of cards with feedback. In later test decisions we presented choice tasks
between these trained and new pairs of decks. In some of the trials a low-valid
probabilistic cue was provided after stimulus onset but before the decision.
Although we were successful in inducing experience-based affective cues these
d [...]
In a study using behavioral and physiological measures we induced
experience-based affective cues (i.e., differential anticipatory arousal) toward
a risky and a safe option by letting participants repeatedly select between two
decks of cards with feedback. In later test decisions we presented choice tasks
between these trained and new pairs of decks. In some of the trials a low-valid
probabilistic cue was provided after stimulus onset but before the decision.
Although we were successful in inducing experience-based affective cues these
d [...]
Across-Notation Automatic Processing of Two-Digit Numbers
The existence of across-notation automatic numerical processing of two-digit
(2D) numbers was explored using size comparisons tasks. Participants were Arabic
speakers, who use two sets of numerical symbols – Arabic and Indian.
They were presented with pairs of 2D numbers in the same or in mixed notations.
Responses for a numerical comparison task were affected by decade difference and
unit-decade compatibility and global distance in both conditions, extending
previous findings with Arabic digits (Nuerk, Weger, & Willmes, 2001). Resp [...]
The existence of across-notation automatic numerical processing of two-digit
(2D) numbers was explored using size comparisons tasks. Participants were Arabic
speakers, who use two sets of numerical symbols – Arabic and Indian.
They were presented with pairs of 2D numbers in the same or in mixed notations.
Responses for a numerical comparison task were affected by decade difference and
unit-decade compatibility and global distance in both conditions, extending
previous findings with Arabic digits (Nuerk, Weger, & Willmes, 2001). Resp [...]
Study Modality and False Recall
False memories occur when individuals mistakenly report an event as having taken
place when that event did not in fact occur. The DRM (Deese, 1959; Roediger & McDermott,
1995) paradigm provides an effective technique for creating
and investigating false memories. In this paradigm participants study a list of
words (e.g., SOUR, CANDY,…) that are highly associated to a
non-presented critical item (e.g., SWEET). The study phase is followed by a test
of memory for the study list words. Researchers typically find very high levels
of fal [...]
False memories occur when individuals mistakenly report an event as having taken
place when that event did not in fact occur. The DRM (Deese, 1959; Roediger & McDermott,
1995) paradigm provides an effective technique for creating
and investigating false memories. In this paradigm participants study a list of
words (e.g., SOUR, CANDY,…) that are highly associated to a
non-presented critical item (e.g., SWEET). The study phase is followed by a test
of memory for the study list words. Researchers typically find very high levels
of fal [...]
Distraction by Auditory Novelty
The unexpected occurrence of an oddball auditory stimulus (novel) among an
otherwise repeated stream of sounds (standards) is known to impact negatively on
participants’ performance in an unrelated visual task. The present
study sought to test new predictions emerging from Parmentier’s (2008)
model of distraction by auditory novelty. Participants categorized the direction
of visual arrows preceded by a task-irrelevant sound. Two time intervals between
distractor and target were tested in separate blocks of trials. Rare auditory
novel [...]
The unexpected occurrence of an oddball auditory stimulus (novel) among an
otherwise repeated stream of sounds (standards) is known to impact negatively on
participants’ performance in an unrelated visual task. The present
study sought to test new predictions emerging from Parmentier’s (2008)
model of distraction by auditory novelty. Participants categorized the direction
of visual arrows preceded by a task-irrelevant sound. Two time intervals between
distractor and target were tested in separate blocks of trials. Rare auditory
novel [...]
Accessory Stimuli Affect the Emergence of Conflict, Not Conflict Control
Accessory signals that precede stimuli in interference tasks lead to faster
overall responses while conflict increases. Two opposing accounts exist for the
latter finding: one is based on dual-route frameworks of response preparation
and proposes amplification of both direct response activation and indirect
response selection processes; the other refers to attentional networks and
suggests inhibition of executive attention, thereby hampering conflict control.
The present study replicated previous behavioral findings in a Simon task and
e [...]
Accessory signals that precede stimuli in interference tasks lead to faster
overall responses while conflict increases. Two opposing accounts exist for the
latter finding: one is based on dual-route frameworks of response preparation
and proposes amplification of both direct response activation and indirect
response selection processes; the other refers to attentional networks and
suggests inhibition of executive attention, thereby hampering conflict control.
The present study replicated previous behavioral findings in a Simon task and
e [...]
Attention and Implicit Memory
The distinction between identification and production priming assumes that tasks
based on production processes involve two distinct stages: the activation of
multiple solutions and the following selection of a final response. Previous
research demonstrated that divided attention reduced production but not
identification priming. However, an unresolved issue concerns whether the
activation of candidate solutions is sufficient to account for the enhanced
request of attentional resources, independently from the contribution of
selection pro [...]
The distinction between identification and production priming assumes that tasks
based on production processes involve two distinct stages: the activation of
multiple solutions and the following selection of a final response. Previous
research demonstrated that divided attention reduced production but not
identification priming. However, an unresolved issue concerns whether the
activation of candidate solutions is sufficient to account for the enhanced
request of attentional resources, independently from the contribution of
selection pro [...] 
